Hello from sunny Leicester...

Well, what to say? I've ben a bit of an on & off cyclist for many years, exclusively on my trusty Marin Nail Trail that looks like it's been thrown down Jacob's Ladder several times (mainly because it has). A few years ago it was fitted with slicks because I was doing the London to Brighton with a few colleagues and somehow the knobblies never quite made it back.

Cut to present, I've decided to try and up the time in the saddle this year and have managed to snag myself a used Orbea Tarmac, which I picked up last week. I am absolutely blown away by the difference in weight! I've not managed to get out on it yet as it's midway through a stripdown and overhaul, but I'm hoping it'll turn a wheel in anger this weekend

I've had a good old browse of the forum and have already learnt huge amounts about the dark and mysterious art of setting up a road bike. I'll apologise in advance for the daft questions I'll inevitably ask, please bear with me as I try to decipher the jargon!

Welcome to CycleChat, Andy!

CC member totallyfixed organises some lovely forum rides not far from you (in Rutland) so I suggest that you keep your eyes open for the next one and maybe go and join in. (I'm going to try and make it down for one in the summer while visiting family in the Midlands.)

Hi Andy - welcome....it's good to have you here. As I walker (as well) I've done the Pennine Way a few times....were you the biker than nearly ran me down on Jacob's Ladder last September?? Only joking

welcome

welcome from next county down

Hi and . What area of Leicester are you from?

Hi and welcome Andy.

I'm not too far from Rutland. Is it normally an open invitation?

Like pretty much all CC forum rides, yes - just keep your eyes open in the CC & Informal Rides and Events forum. Example of a previous ride - here.

Thanks for the warm welcome all!

Colin - I'll definitely keep an eye open in the rides & events section (might wait until I have an idea of my abilities/pace before committing to group rides though, I wouldn't want to be holding everyone up!)

Rocky - I haven't been down Jacob's ladder on a bike since about 2001, so not guilty! I'm a walker too though, so maybe we've passed each other on the horseshoe on foot

Pete - I'm in the Oadby area. How about you?

I'm from North West Leicestershire about 7 miles the other side of Coalville.

welcome to the site, im in south derbyshire so not tha far also.